OBJECTIVETo study the protective role of Sertoli cell expressing FasL and CTLA-4Ig on allogeneic renal cell.

METHODSTesticular Sertoli cell and renal cell were prepared by digestion with enzymes. About 106 cells were injected into the subrenal capsule of allogeneic rats. 36 rats were divided into 3 groups: control group (10), co-transplantation group (16) and co-transplantation collaborated with CTLA-4Ig group (CTLA group, 10). Levels of serum IL-2 were tested on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 20th day after transplantation. The kidney was extracted on the 20th day. The survival of renal cells was determined by the Avidin Biotin Peroxidase Complex Technique (ABC); the brightness of grafts was measured by MD-20 image analysis system. Apoptosis within the grafts was observed with Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated X-dUTP Nick end Labeling (TUNEL) method.

RESULTSThe survival of renal cells in control group, co-transplantation group and CTLA group was 0, 14 and 10 respectively; The brightness values of co-transplantation group and CTLA group were 0.362 +/- 0.017 and 0.445 +/- 0.021, and the statistic differences between them were significant. Levels of serum IL-2 in CTLA group were lower compared with co-transplantation group, there being significant differences as well; Apoptosis of lymphocyte was observed within the grafts.

CONCLUSIONSSertoli cell and CTLA-4Ig have coordinative protective effect on allogeneic renal cell.